KC Star demands the Chiefs stop the chop

[Hammock Parties]

****ing piece of shit fishwrap

Stop the offensive ‘Arrowhead Chop.’ It’s time for a new Chiefs tradition

link redacted

The image of former Kansas City Chiefs star Derrick Johnson banging the war drum at Arrowhead Stadium provided a stark reminder of the home team’s offensive and outdated tradition.

While Johnson led the prelude to last Sunday’s nationally-televised contest between the Chiefs and Green Bay, fans waved their arms back and forth in unison, banding together for the Tomahawk Chop.

It was a bad look for Kansas City — and an affront to Native Americans.

For years, the Chiefs organization has worked with Native American groups to address concerns about the negative stereotypes that have been on display at our home games. The team no longer promotes face paint or headdresses that disrespect the heritage or customs of Native Americans.

And Native Americans have blessed the use of the Chiefs’ war drum in accordance with their customs and rituals.

But the ever-present “Arrowhead Chop” at home games, along with Chiefs officials’ unwillingness to disavow the cheer, are evidence that the team still has more work to do.

“The Arrowhead Chop is part of the game-day experience that is really important to our fans,” said team President Mark Donovan.

But why? Arrowhead Stadium is one of the loudest places to play in the NFL, and there’s no doubt that Chiefs fans will bring the noise — with or without the chop.

The divisive chant is racially insensitive and entirely unnecessary.

“The chop itself is the most disgusting thing you can do in sports,” said Amanda Blackhorse of Arizona to Rally Against Native Mascots, a national group opposed to the use of Native American images in sports.

The continued use of Native American mascots, nicknames and themes in sports dehumanizes Native Americans, Blackhorse said.

“I disagree with so much of what they are doing,” she said of the Chiefs organization’s continued encouragement of the chop. “At this point, they are ignoring the opposition. Shame on them for allowing racism to happen in that stadium.”

Elizabeth Glynn, the CEO of Travois, which helps create affordable housing and economic development opportunities for American Indians, has spoken to leaders of tribal nations and said most are against the use of any imagery that depicts Native Americans in a bad light. Travois works with more than 100 tribes in 22 states.

“No one wants to take away the enjoyment for fans,” Glynn said. “There are a lot of ways to have fun at games. You can do that without labeling and stereotyping an entire group of people.”

Of course, the Chiefs aren’t the only organization that has clung to this offensive celebration. The Tomahawk Chop came under fire earlier this month during the Major League Baseball playoff series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves.

St. Louis pitcher Ryan Helsley of the Cherokee Nation was asked for his thoughts about the Braves’ game-day tradition. Hensley didn’t mince words, and the Atlanta organization immediately halted its foam tomahawks giveaway.

“I’m trying to use my voice to get awareness out there and try to help people in that way, to help people see another side, help people see our side,” Helsley told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

While sports teams have paid lip service to racial sensitivity, the Washington Redskins have shown no inclination to change their distasteful and inappropriate nickname. Cleveland’s baseball team was painfully slow to phase out its mascot, which belittled Native Americans, Chief Wahoo.

The Chiefs have taken steps in the right direction, but their unwavering commitment to the Arrowhead Chop is confounding and disappointing. What purpose does it serve? And why continue the chant if it offends even a single Native American?

Chiefs fans are among the most loyal and enthusiastic in the NFL. And there’s no doubt they would fill any void left by the absence of the chop with a high-decibel celebration of our team.

November is National Native American Heritage Month. The Chiefs plan to celebrate the culture during a game against Oakland on Dec. 1. But the organization could do far more good if it used this month to reevaluate a practice that perpetuates stereotypes and dehumanizes an entire group.

It’s time for a new Chiefs tradition.

[Red Dawg]

Stupid idea. The Star hates the Chiefs these days.

[Red Dawg]

As if they can stop the fans from doing it.

[arrwheader]

The power to make this go anywhere lies within the populace not them. If the people ignore it and dismiss it it will die. If you share it, talk about it, click on it. They win. Someones career is advanced there and the next asshole in journalism sees that and thinks "oh what controversy can i stir this week to get ahead."

Stop spreading their bullshit.

[Hammock Parties]

https://jimmycsays.com/2019/10/23/th...ng-shell-game/

Between the third quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2019, Sunday print circulation plunged 23 percent — from 104,071 paid copies to 79,976.

Average Monday-to-Friday print circulation went from 66,520 to 54,000, a 19 percent decrease.

[xbarretx]

Alright, Sexual Chocolate is done with this....

[Rain Man]

The Star is pushing too many agendas. They need to pick one and go with it. Either get Chiefs fans to stop doing the chop or continue vilifying innocent men, but they can't accomplish both.

[nychief]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

https://jimmycsays.com/2019/10/23/th...ng-shell-game/

Between the third quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2019, Sunday print circulation plunged 23 percent — from 104,071 paid copies to 79,976.

Average Monday-to-Friday print circulation went from 66,520 to 54,000, a 19 percent decrease.

You are really citing print circulation? jesus christ. Come on man.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

The Star is pushing too many agendas. They need to pick one and go with it. Either get Chiefs fans to stop doing the chop or continue vilifying innocent men, but they can't accomplish both.

Pretty obvious they gave up their Tyreek crusade after Brooke Pryor left town.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by nychief

You are really citing print circulation? jesus christ. Come on man.

they have 10,000 digital subscribers

whooptie ****in' doo

[SupDock]

Chicken shits afraid to put their names on it

[King_Chief_Fan]

people actually read this rag


total garbage news punlication

[The Franchise]

Good luck with that.

[SuperChief]

It's funny reading all the "outrage culture" blasting while nearly everyone in here is outraged about this take by the Star. Truly hilarious.

For the record, I love the chop. And I'm Native.

[ClevelandBronco]

One day it will stop, and it'll stop because the Chiefs organization itself will someday determine it to be in their best interest to force it to stop. Chop away until then, brethren.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

One day it will stop, and it'll stop because the Chiefs organization itself will someday determine it to be in their best interest to force it to stop. Chop away until then, brethren.

the chiefs didn't start the chop

they won't stop it

you can't stop people from doing a thing